Biological systems, adapted through millions of years of evolution with various functional
trade-offs, have emerged as a crucial source of inspiration for the design of advanced …

One basic principle regulating self-assembly is associated with the asymmetry of constituent
building blocks or packing models. Using asymmetry to manipulate molecular-level devices …

Nature has developed materials, objects and processes that function from the macroscale to
the nanoscale. These have gone through evolution over 3.8 Gyr. The emerging field of …

Living organisms use composite materials for various functions, such as mechanical
support, protection, motility and the sensing of signals. Although the individual components …

The helical coiling of plant tendrils has fascinated scientists for centuries, yet the underlying
mechanism remains elusive. Moreover, despite Darwin's widely accepted interpretation of …

The influx and efflux of water in biological structures actuates reversible deformation and
recovery processes that are crucial for mechanical functions in plants and animals. These …

Raman imaging of plant cell walls represents a nondestructive technique that can provide
insights into chemical composition in context with structure at the micrometer level (< 0.5 …

Most natural materials are composites based on biopolymers and some minerals. Despite
the relative paucity of these constituents, their combination yields materials with outstanding …

Inspired by nature, humidity-responsive materials and devices have attracted significant
interest from scientists in multiple disciplines, ranging from chemistry, physics and materials …

Plants have evolved a multitude of mechanisms to actuate organ movement. The osmotic
influx and efflux of water in living cells can cause a rapid movement of organs in a …